Gulmarg Kashmir is a prominent tourist place in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and a major tourist attraction is the Gulmarg Snowfall in winter. The spot is also known as “Haven of Earth” and is a delightful tourist destination in north Kashmir. The ancient name of the place was Gourimarg, which refers to the Hindu goddess “Gouri.” In the 16th century, Yousuf Shah Chak, ruler of Kashmir, changed the name Gourimarg to Gulmarg. 

Gulmarg Snowfall
Gulmarg Snowfall

Gulmarg, the significant “meadow of flowers,” is pinpointed in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The valley is 31 km from Baramulla town and around 49 km from Srinagar city. The hill station offers the most popular gondola ride and stunning panoramic views with majestic mountains and also peaceful, scenic escapes; picturesque landscapes; skiing destinations; and also stunning meadows that attract the tourist very much.

Gulmarg Snowfall

Most commonly snowfall occurs from November to March in the valley of Kashmir every year. But if you want to experience heavy Gulmarg snowfall, you must visit from December to February, and that time is ideal for snow lovers. The average thickness of snow accumulated is 15 to 18 inches. All year round, tourists visit Kashmir to see the natural beauty of snowfall in India. In winter, the valley becomes snow-capped mountains, like a white blanket covering the mountains, and makes it charming and picturesque. In the summer season, the main tourist attraction is the lush green landscape, and the fresh air and panoramic views of the mountains make the spot a perfect tourist destination for nature lovers and trekkers and also the best choice for photographers. 

Gulmarg Tourist Places

The valley is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Kashmir, famous for its stunning beauty of nature. Apharwat Peak is the highest point in the tourist spot, offering panoramic views of Alpather Lake, Biosphere Reserve, Strawberry Valley, and Khilanmarg.  The gondola is also the biggest attraction for tourists.

Best time to visit Gulmarg in Kashmir 

Gulmarg Kashmir is all year-round tourist destination in India. Each season, the valley comes with unique beauty and experiences. If you want to enjoy heavy snowfall, you must visit from December to February, which is the best time to visit Gulmarg, Kashmir. At that time the valley transforms into a snow-capped wonderland. You can also visit in March; you can have to see ice-capped mountains, and the temperature will be a pleasant 5 to 10 degrees centigrade. If you visit from April to September, at that time lush green meadows of mountains and scenic beauty, pleasant weather, pine forests, and deodar forests, along with a comfortable temperature of 10 to 20 degrees centigrade, make your journey delightful, and at that time you do not find snow views. Most of the tourists visit the valley in April to June due to the pleasant weather; in winter the temperature decreases to (–) degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg  in Winter 

The months of December to February are a perfect time to visit the Gourimarg Valley in Kashmir in winter to see the amazing Gulmarg Snowfall view of Kashmir. At that time the whole valley is covered with snow, and the temperature decreases to –8 degrees Celsius. You can also visit in March to see the nature of ice-capped mountains. A popular activity, snowmobiling can be done in winter. A snowmobile is like a bike that can be run on Icelandic mountains.

Snowmobile
Snowmobile

Gulmarg Temperature

Generally, the average temperature is -10 to 6°C in winter, from November to March, and then it increases from April to November to an average temp of 10-22 degrees Celsius.

 Monthly weather in the valley (temperature)

Name of Month

Temperature (Low/High) in °C (Approx.)

January

-10 to -3

February

-8 to -1

March

-4 to 6

April

-1 to 10

May

4 to 17

June

8 to 19

July

12 to 22

August

11 to 21

September

10 to 20

October

4 to 15

November

-4 to 5

December

-7 to 0

Srinagar to Gulmarg distance

The distance from Srinagar is around 49 km, and the time taken is 2 hours. Taxi fare generally starts at 2500 to 3000 for a one-way trip, which can vary depending on the type of car you booked.

How to reach Gulmarg from Srinagar

The most visited tourist place is located in the Anantanag district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is just 841 km away from the capital city, Delhi, in India. From Srinagar (the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir) to Gulmarg, the distance is around 59 km. If your journey from Srinagar is by bus, like JKRTC, the ticket price will be around 500 per person.  If you have a tour plan to visit the tourist spot, you can firstly reach Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir by bus, train, or air from other states of India.  From Srinagar, you will find a shared taxi or car to reach the destination. You have to pay around Rs.700 to Rs.1200, depending on what type of vehicle you booked. 

You can also reserve a taxi for a double trip, and the price will be around Rs.5000. You can also travel from Srinagar to the Anantnag district town and then reach Tangmarg and then the valley. In winter very often, you do not find direct taxi to visit the valley due to heavy snowfall. You will go from Srinagar to Tangmarg, then from Tangmarg to Gulmarg; the distance is around 21 km. In Tangmarg you will find for rent a heavy jacket at Rs.200 and a boat for Rs.100 to 150 for two hours. You may also take hand gloves for the gondola ride. 

Gulmarg Gondola Ride 

The Gulmarg Gondola ride is favored and a major activity in the Himalayan Mountains in Kashmir. Gondola means a cable car ride on Forest Block. The natural beauty of the valley in winter is amazing for tourists. Tourists can enjoy a variety of activities like trekking, thrilling rides, and camping, and the most popular activity is the gondola ride. The ride has taken time, approx. 20 to 35 minutes.

The gondola ride has 2 phases, i.e., phase 1 and phase 2. In phase 1, riders can ride from Gulmarg to Kongdori, offering lush meadows and forests in summer, and in phase 2, they can ride from Kongdori to Apharwat Peak, the highest point accessible by gondola. During the gondola ride you can experience beautiful landscapes, lush green pine forests in summer, and picturesque snowy-mountain views in the winter season, like from November to March.

Hotels in Gulmarg Kashmir

1.    1. Hotel Hill Top—Located at Gondola Road, Forest Block, 100 m away from Gondola Gulmarg and 1 km from the market. 4-star hotel. Rooms are spacious and very comfortable with car parking, and also the food is flavorful and delicious, and the service is great. The categories of rooms are Deluxe, Super Deluxe, and also Family rooms with great views.

2.  Hotel Kolahoi Green Height—4-star hotel, located at Gandola Road, 100 m away from Gulmarg Gondola, and around 1 km from the market place and Forest Block, with great car parking. It is also nearby Hotel Hill Top. Pleasant stay, situated on a great place with nice views.

3.  The Vintage Resort and Spa­—A Luxury hotel with an excellent location and great hospitality, located 500 m away from the Gondola and 1 km from the main market at Circular Road. Polite staff, good food and service, and spacious rooms, like the deluxe room, super deluxe room, family room, and also premium rooms with scenic views of Gulmarg kashmir. A spa facility is also available with the resort.

4.  Hotel Rose wood—The hotel is 1 km away from the Gondola and 2 km away from the market. Family rooms and Super Deluxe rooms are available in the hotel with car parking. All necessary amenities are available with all the hotels, and they are also 4-star. The hotel is also prime location near the Gondola, located at Reservoir Path, Gulmarg, in Kashmir.

Conclusion: Snowfall in Kashmir is the most attractive common experience in winter. Tourist places, like Apharwat Peak, Alpather Lake, Biosphere Reserve, Strawberry Valley, Khilanmarg, and Tangmarg, are the most famous tourist destinations in Kashmir. Views of the Gulmarg Snowfall in winter and the Gulmarg Gondola are the most attractive for tourists. You must visit the tourist places in Kashmir and enjoy your holy day with your friends, loved ones, or family.

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